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Ranch-style homes, also called "ranchers," are a combination of the Spanish hacienda and the prairie-style home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The original rancher, designed by Cliff May, was built in 1932 in San Diego. The identifying features of the ranch-style house include horizontal layout, gable roof and multiple large windows. Ranchers were designed for casual California living, so avoid too many formal elements when adding curb appeal to the house.

1

Remove all debris from the front yard, such as children's toys, trash and animal waste.

2

Rake up debris in planting beds and lay down a 3-inch layer of mulch around the plants.

3

Use a hose or long-handled brush to clean under the eaves. Ranch houses typically have wide eaves that can easily harbor insects. Remove any cobwebs and other bug debris.

4

Power-wash or repaint the front door and porch railings. Traditional ranch-style homes have small front porches, so a new coat of paint can help make the entry area appear larger and more welcoming.

5

Remove and replace any dead or dying plants. Prune those that are overgrown. Give shrubs a rounded profile to help soften the edges of the ranch house.

6

Create curved planting beds to bring relief to the straight lines of the ranch-style house. If you have flower beds, change the straight borders to curved by using edging.

7

Fill the beds with colorful shrubs that will draw the eye away from the rancher's long, low silhouette. Purchase shrubs that will remain small so they don't overpower the low windows of the rancher. One to consider is boxwood, which grows well in the shade provided by the rancher's eaves.

8

Plant some small trees at the corners of the house. This can make the home appear taller. Suitable trees include redbud, crape myrtle and cherry laurel.

9

De-emphasize the driveway by planting larger trees, in pots or along the edges. The same technique can be used to play down the garage: Plant two large trees on either side.

About the Author

Based in the American Southwest, Bridget Kelly has been writing about gardening and real estate since 2005. Her articles have appeared at Trulia.com, SFGate.com, GardenGuides.com, RE/MAX.com, MarketLeader.com, RealEstate.com, USAToday.com and in "Chicago Agent" magazine, to name a few. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing.